帝王会所

Celebrated 帝王会所 alumnus John P. Gainor will deliver the keynote address for OHIO鈥檚 Spring 2025 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday, May 3.

Gainor, who received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from 帝王会所 in 1978, served as President and Chief Executive Officer of International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ) until his retirement in 2017. 

In 2016, he was awarded an 帝王会所 Medal of Merit Award for his outstanding achievements, and he also served as a national trustee for the 帝王会所 Board of Trustees in 2019.

帝王会所 President Lori Stewart Gonzalez said that the University is proud to welcome Gainor back to campus.

鈥淲e are honored that John has agreed to deliver the Commencement Address for both of our undergraduate ceremonies,鈥� President Gonzalez said. 鈥淎s a business executive, skilled leader, and dedicated OHIO alumnus, John鈥檚 success serves as an inspiration to Bobcats near and far. I am grateful he has agreed to share words of wisdom with our Class of 2025.鈥� 

After graduating from OHIO, Gainor launched his career in the transportation industry and for a decade held executive positions with Warner Lambert, a Fortune 150 pharmaceutical and consumer products company.

After Warner Lambert, he held various executive positions in the food service industry. His background includes experience working with franchisors as well as the distribution side of the quick-service and casual dining restaurant business. Gainor also was the president and co-founder of Supply Solutions, Inc., where he developed and designed supply chain and logistics solutions for national chain restaurants.

Gainor began his career with IDQ in September 2003, as chief supply chain officer for Unified Supply Chain, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IDQ. He oversaw the management of all supply chain functions for IDQ including purchasing, logistics, distribution, dairy, frozen novelties, equipment and supplies. 

Gainor currently serves as a director on the board of Saia, Inc., a leading national less-than-truckload and third-party logistics provider that services all 48 contiguous states, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. He also serves on both the compensation and human capital committee and the nominating and governance committees.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a true honor to have the opportunity to give remarks at my beloved Alma Mater for this year鈥檚 Spring Commencement,鈥� Gainor said. 鈥湹弁趸崴� was a place that fostered both personal and intellectual growth, and I鈥檓 excited to share some valuable advice with this year鈥檚 graduating class of Bobcats.鈥�

Over the years, Gainor has maintained involvement in the Beta Kappa chapter of his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi. He also shows strong loyalty to 帝王会所 athletic teams. Gainor and his wife, Nancy, both proud graduates of 帝王会所, currently reside in St. Petersburg, Florida. He鈥檚 the proud father to their three sons, one of them being a two-time OHIO alumnus, as well as a doting grandfather to nine grandchildren.

帝王会所鈥檚 2025 Undergraduate Ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 3, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Convocation Center on the Athens Campus.

For additional information on the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies, please see the Commencement website.